Stand Up Paddler still missing, board recovered in the US.
Clearwater beach in Tampa, Florida
The 50 year old man, Jeffrey Comer was last seen going for a stand up paddle in the waters off the coastal city of Tampa, Florida where tragedy struck, and he has still not returned.
On Saturday his board washed up at the entrance to the nearby Manatee River, strapped to it were his wallet, keys and phone. But no paddler. The belongings were handed in to the police sparking a 600mile wide search for the man which turned up nothing. The mans car was still parked in a nearby carpark, and his apartment was empty.
Jeffrey was an experienced paddler, and he also spent a lot of time cycling and kayaking. He was in great physical shape and knew the waters around where he was paddling very well, so it's a mystery as to what happened. Speculation online suggest that he wasn't wearing a life jacket or board leash, and became separated from his board offshore.
5 days later with still no sign of the man, chances are getting slip of finding him alive. No body has been recovered yet, but Police have now called off the search. A tragedy for the stand up paddling community, and a terrible loss for his family, this also serves as a reminder to always wear a leash and PFD when stand up paddling.
sunshine Coast, QLD
